CULTURE, history and amazing art – the Whitworth art gallery in Manchester mark 70 years of South Asia’s independence with its new acclaimed exhibition.

South Asia’s coveted artists give you a glimpse into their critically acclaimed paintings as the Manchester gallery showcases Indian and Pakistani artists who worked with renowned curator Victor Musgrave from 1953-63. They are also giving a platform to eleven art organisations from across the North of England and South Asia as they aim to celebrate heritage across continents and develop artistic talent.

Whitworth

Musgrave was described as a ‘True Pioneer’ before he sadly passed in 1984, however, his work still lives on captivating and inspiring others as well as being adapted with new creations from Asian British artists today.

Over 800 pieces of Musgrave’s work were given to the University of Manchester. The Whitworth Art Gallery is now open to view for the public at no cost from September 30th till the April 15th. The aim of the gallery is to connect with diverse audiences on both continents through a programme of exhibitions and events that showcase the best of contemporary art from Bangladesh, India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and the UK.

The work of four pioneering Pakistani and Indian modernists, Sadanand Bakre, Avinash Chandra, Anwar Jalal Shemza and F.N Souza will be on show for all to see.

Co-Founder, Bose Krishnamachari said: “We are proud to work with a range of partners in South Asia and in the UK on this long-term initiative to share knowledge and creativity across the world. “

Also speaking to Artistic Director, Rashid Rana, spoke about the exhibition saying: “South Asia has a complicated present in terms of hard political boundaries within the region and has a complicated past with the UK. The New North and South partnership initiates and strengthens a nexus within South Asia and the UK in a unique way.”

You can also see the works of photographer and filmmaker Sooni Taraporevala, as she presents a series of photographs showing life in Bombay/Mumbai over four decades. She captures the city where she grew up, as well as cutting across class and community lines. The intimate images show the social history of one of India’s most diverse cities.

This marks the 70th anniversary of the independence of India, Pakistan and later Bangladesh as artists, designers, performers and musicians from South Asia and Britain have been invited to create new works for Manchester’s art galleries and museums. So if your looking to be enriched with culture and history, the Whitworth is definitely worth looking into.

Whitworth

(All images were taken by James Prophett).

 

 

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